Are visible abs worth it?

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Replies

  • gradchica27
    gradchica27 Posts: 777 Member
    I go back and forth about whether to make an attempt—I’m 5’4” and pear shaped, so at 125-7 there’s definitely oblique showing and maybe the top 2 are semi visible. But get close to mid cycle OR TOM and bam, I look 5 mo pregnant overnight. It’s only getting worse as I get older, so I have no idea how much I’d have to lose to compensate for all that bloating. Not sure I’d make the effort for it to be invisible 2 weeks a month 🙄

    I’m almost 39 and no one but my husband would ever see this miracle should it occur, and he would prefer me a bit softer, so I’m not sure it’s worth it for my own personal “got it!”

    Maybe. However...I’ve had 4 giant babies and lower abs don’t look remotely possible without surgical help bc of loose skin that won’t go away (youngest is almost 5, so I’m losing hope there). Not to mention that staying below 127 is not easy for me—it’s definitely constant logging and significant exercise (pre quarantine I was lifting/working out 1.5 hrs a day 6days a week and achieved that 2 pack. Not sure I have time for anything else. And adding more ab work to hope building muscle will help makes me nervous, since doing direct ab training a few years ago caused some, er, issues I’d prefer to neither exacerbate or elaborate upon).

    So...my personal is it worth it equation is leaning towards no.
  • NeahF
    NeahF Posts: 49 Member
    Abs are made in the kitchen" is a true statement. I don't think having abs is worth STRESSING over, but if you have them, it's a good indicator that you're healthy and eating the right stuff, therefore, the results were worth the overall change.
  • StargazerB
    StargazerB Posts: 425 Member
    Avidkeo wrote: »
    azlynblu wrote: »
    Abs are made in the kitchen" is a true statement. I don't think having abs is worth STRESSING over, but if you have them, it's a good indicator that you're healthy and eating the right stuff, therefore, the results were worth the overall change.

    This is such a wrong way to think about it. Plenty of people with abs are not necessarily healthy and eating the right stuff (what even is that), and conversely people without them are not unhealthy.

    Having abs simply means you have a low enough body fat for them to show (unless you are genetically blessed). Tieing abs into health and eating well is not a smart thing to do.

    PS I am fairly certain that to get abs, I'd have to be a fairly ridiculously low body fat percentage, because I carry my weight in my stomach and breasts. I eat healthy, heck I'm training for a marathon. And I am content that I will never have abs.

    I store my fat in my lower belly, butt, hips, and thighs. I start to look stick thin in my face chest and arms if I lose too much.
  • Diatonic12
    Diatonic12 Posts: 32,344 Member
    Powerful and stunning.

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  • StargazerB
    StargazerB Posts: 425 Member
    claireychn074 wrote: »
    I think I’d have to get down to c12% body fat to have a six pack (I didn’t have one at 15%). I’m c20% now, have some oblique definition but if I cut it will impact on my ability to throw weights above my head 🤣

    You look amazing without them!
  • cupcakesandproteinshakes
    cupcakesandproteinshakes Posts: 1,133 Member
    Yep it’s a long term goal for me to have a 6 pack. I’ve no idea whether it’s sustainable for me.

    It’s gonna take me a while to get there and see.
  • yirara
    yirara Posts: 9,941 Member
    I get visible abs very easily They show at a BMI of around 23 I think. It's just how my body fat is distributed. I'd not want them to be fully visible as my weight would have to be too low, and hence my maintenance calories lower. Something purely esthetic vs good food? I know what I'd chose. Plus my face starts to look too thin and unhealthy at a BMI below 22. I see my face more than my abs.
  • claireychn074
    claireychn074 Posts: 1,604 Member
    StargazerB wrote: »
    claireychn074 wrote: »
    I think I’d have to get down to c12% body fat to have a six pack (I didn’t have one at 15%). I’m c20% now, have some oblique definition but if I cut it will impact on my ability to throw weights above my head 🤣

    You look amazing without them!

    Ahh thank you! 🤗
  • errollmaclean
    errollmaclean Posts: 562 Member
    I never get super defined, but I really enjoy some definition. Is it worth it? I like it as a goal, instead of just a number on a scale. It keeps me working and paying attention to my calories.

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